Shree Govindji Muljibhai Ghaghada of London

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare,

Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

It is with great regret that we inform the members of our community that Shree Govindji Muljibhai Ghaghada, aged 88 very sadly passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, 6th November 2007, Aso Vad Baras (12), 2063 in London.

Funeral took place on Thursday 8th November 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

We wish to convey our sincere gratitude to all our relatives, friends and well wishers for their support, sympathy, and condolences by personal visit, telephone, by e-mail and paying their respects at the funeral.

Eulogy by Prabhudas Govindji Pattni (son)

at the Hendon Crematorium, London on 8th November, 2007

"Krasaya vasudevaya, devaki-nandanaya ca, nanda-gopa-kumaraya, govindaya namonamah"

(Prayer by Queen Kunti to Lord Shree Krsna - from Shreemad Bhagavatam)

Jaya sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda, sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta vrnda.
 
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare, Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Hare Krsna

In Bhagavat Gita, which is the cream of vedic knowledge, Lord Shree Krsna has certified this material world as temporary and full of miseries "duhkhalayam asasvatam". "Mam upetya punar janma duhkkhalayam asasvatam, napnuvanti mahatmanah, samsiddhim paramam gatah " (Bhagavat Gita Verse 8.15).

Even if one is prepared to live in a miserable condition, he is not allowed to do so. Lord Krsna says at the time of death He takes away everything, including our memory - "mrtyuh sarva-haras caham".

If, however, one keeps Lord Krsna in the centre - and we will see how Pujya Bapuji did so - one's life is peaceful, in spite of all the difficulties. Lord Krsna is the cause of all causes as confirmed by Lord Brahma in the Brahma Samhita - "Isvar param Krsna, sat-cit-anand vigrahah, anadir adir govind, sarva karana karanam."
 
I spoke to Pujya Bapuji twelve hours before he left his material body. He was composed. We said Jai Shree Krsna to each other. The conversation was brief. But the last four words he told me reflected his consciousness and surrender to Lord Krsna. He told me "Bhagavan rakhe em revu" - or in other words, just accept any situation in which God may place you.

During the last twelve hours Pujya Bapuji read the sixteenth chapter of Bhagavat Gita, chanted one round of the Holy Name on beads. Up to the last breath, Pujya Bapuji's consciousness was spiritual. He was engaged in the devotional service of the Lord by "sravanam kirtanam". This state of Krsna consciousness is described by Lord Krsna in the last verse of Chapter Two of Bhagavat Gita - Verse No. 72.

"Esa brahmi sthithi parth, nainam prapya vimuhyati, sthitvasyam ante kale api, brahma-nirvanam rchhati".

The translation of this verse is "That is the way of spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated, one can enter into the Kingdom of God."

Pujya Bapuji was born in our native village of Verad, near Jamnagar, Gujarat in 1919. He attended the Indian School. He came to East Africa in the early 1940s. During the initial years, he was working as an artisan with his cousin brother late Pujya Shree Thakershi Ada with a jeweller by the name of Mr.Parekh who had a shop on Race Course Road, Nairobi.

For better prospects he went to Tanzania in 1951 and started a jewellery shop in Mwanza. Because of unfavourable conditions he could not settle there. From Mwanza,  Pujya Bapuji moved to Iganga, Uganda and then on to Tororo, Uganda.

In 1953, he moved to Mombasa, Kenya and registered the business name Kenya Jewellers. The following ten years were quite difficult as he was the only bread winner supporting a family of ten. The goldsmith trade was not so sophisticated as it is today. All the jewellery was hand manufactured. Money was scarce. Not all families had cars.  Pujya Bapuji moved to Nairobi in 1962 and by the mercy of Lord Krsna made steady progress for the next twenty years. Kenya Jewellers was started in London in 1980.

Several times during Pujya Bapuji's stay in Kenya he experienced misfortunes, including two armed robberies at the shop. The shop at Ngara, Nairobi was completely looted during the 1982 coup in Kenya. But Pujya Bapuji kept his faith in God and never lost his spirit. Pujya Bapuji stayed in London during 1980s. During the 1990s he came to Kenya several times. He enjoyed his stay in Kenya.

He was very compassionate and had a charitable disposition. He used to visit the Jalaram Temple, Nairobi every day and personally fed the poor. He also contributed for food distribution at Runda, Nairobi and also the Food for Life Programme of Iskcon, Nairobi. Please visit Food For Life Gallery – Click fflVrindavan

He helped in constructing a crematorium at Verad, India. He constructed a bore hole at Verad for provision of water and regularly sent donations for feeding the cows in Goshala in Verad. 

Pujya Bapuji, we all miss you very much. We would like to assure you that we will follow in your footsteps.  We pray to Lord Krsna to grant Pujya Bapuji service at His lotus feet.  On behalf of our family, I thank each one of you for sharing with us our moments of great grief. I request all present to please come to our residence at Stanmore for chas at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna."

Benaben Govindji Muljibhai

Sons Prabhudasbhai Govindji Mulji (Nairobi) Ajit Govindji Mulji (London) Rasik Govindji Mulji (London) Kamlesh Govindji Mulji (London) Mayur Govindji Mulji (London)

Daughters Induben Rasiklal Vaya (Nairobi) Hansaben Mansukhlal Challa (London) Pratibhaben Rajubhai Satikuvar (London)